Monte (Avo) Melkonian was born near Fresno, California, on November 25, 1957. He graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in archaeology and Asian history. Turning down scholarships for graduate study at prestigious universities, he devoted the rest of his life to defending the underprivileged and voiceless. He taught at Armenian schools in Iran and Lebanon and helped defend local Armenian communities. Monte stated many times that those who genuinely want lasting peace should be prepared to work and fight for justice....

I like the guy. He was a good man. Melkonian couple was like Serop Aghpur and Sossee Mayrig for Artsakh and Artsakhtsik. May be history is repeating itself...humm...I have to think about this more carefully

PS. Can you think of a more friendly nickname?At times you come on so human and sensitive, but I must confess that highly offensive, nonArmenian , Turkish nickname of yours is such a turnoff for me that I must hold my nose to read your posts, and I totally ignore it most of the time.

As for the Khodja nickname, I do not understand why this is so offensive to you. It is the title which the Turks gave my great-grandfather. You should only know who his brother was, which I will not tell out of fear of the homicidal Turks who lurk here. Their hatred runs so deep that they are killing today defenseless old Armenian women both in Turkey and yes, even in the US.

The title meant little during the Genocide, as the Turks killed my great-grandfather's four sons and the majority of their families.

As for the Khodja nickname, I do not understand why this is so offensive to you. It is the title which the Turks gave my great-grandfather. You should only know who his brother was, which I will not tell out of fear of the homicidal Turks who lurk here. Their hatred runs so deep that they are killing today defenseless old Armenian women both in Turkey and yes, even in the US.

The title meant little during the Genocide, as the Turks killed my great-grandfather's four sons and the majority of their families.

Please explain to me why this term is so offensive.

I am trying my damnest to love you, but with a nickname like that I find it a difficult task.Why am I offendede by "khoja"?Everything aside, simply beacuse it is NOT an ARMENIAN word. See below.It is mostlly used by the Turks now to mean "teacher", "elder", a "wise man". Yes THEY may have bestowed the title on your ancestors. Ask Ara B, about the definition of "ottomanization", even if he may have it wrong.

"khoja" is not an Armenian term, it neverwas, it will never be. AS mentioned above the Turks are the one of the very few to use it. It is a disgusting term as it was those "khojas" who were distributing the murderous tools and inciting the mob to kill every Armenian.

THe origin of the word is shrouded in obscurity but judging from the sound of it I would dare say it has Chinese origin, no not mongolian as you would wish. Consider this; Xo Ja.

As to that idiot known as "Nasrettin Xoja". So what else is new? When did the Turk stop stealing other peoples' culture??!! It is none other than Kaj Nazar, albeit turkified to read Koja Nazar, or further yet, Koja Nazar(ettin).Please find another more friendly nickname, pehaps then we will read your posts at their own value and not choke on our vomitous in the processs.

In order to trace the origins of the Khoja community it is necessary to travel to India in which Hinduism is the predominant religion of its citizens. There are several different sects within Hinduism and its followers belong to a particular caste. The origins of the Khoja community lie in Shakti Marg Hinduism and are believed to have been from the kshatriya caste. Collectively, the Khojas formed the "Lohana community". However, in the early fourteenth century this community underwent a significant transformation when a Persian missionary converted the members to Islam and gave them the name "khwaja". Professor Sachedina explains how this took place. It is certain that the name khoja is the phonetic corruption of the Persian word Khwaja (meaning "master, teacher, respected, well-to-do person") that was given by the Persian Isma'ili missionary Pir Sadruddin to his Hindu converts to Islam in the fourteenth century. (Sachedina, 1988, p.3)

I believe you have it wrong about Xodja Nasrettin. The character is known all the way to the other end of the continent, as Nasraddin Efendi by those Uighurs in Xinjiang you love so much and as the A Fan Ti as such by the Chinese who love them more.

Thanks Arpa, and where is Garmir Blur?+++++++Please explain to me why this term is so offensive.

Karmir Blur, literally, Red Hill is an ancient Urartuan site at the southern outskirts of Erevan, on the left bank of Hraztan River. It gets its nickname from the fact that when it it was incinerated the bricks turned fire.

I will describe the site in more detail but in the mean time enjoy this;

Congratulation America-Hye formarly known as " Khodja , Hagarag " for joining the " main stream armenians " .
My father was born in a small village called " Najar " some where close to " Dort Yol " his father was the Elder of the village and the ihabitents called him " Panos Agha " , he talled me that he remebers when the French General " Goro " visited their house when the french army was in Clicia , by the way my father is a surviver and he was born in 1908 he is still living with me .
Arpa thank you for your efort that resulted in " Khodja " choosing the users name America- Hye